Search Results (46)

Se-enriched functional eggs are prevalent nowadays, which may help improve body health and anti-oxidant capacities. However, the modulatory effects on cecal microbiota are still limited. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of Se-enriched egg powder in modulating the cecal microbiota of Kunming mice. A total of 72 mice were randomly assigned to a control treatment (CON), a conventional egg powder treatment (EP), and four gradient Se-enriched egg powder treatments (EPS1–EPS4, with the Se content ranging from 0.01 to 0.04% of total dietary content) for a 35-day feeding procedure. Parameters included growth performance, tissue Se content distribution, serum anti-oxidant capacities (GSH-Px, SOD, MDA), and immune cytokines (IgG, TNF-α), and cecal microbiota composition was further measured. Results showed dietary 0.02% (EPS2) significantly improved growth performance, physiological anti-oxidant defenses, and cytokine TNF-α (p < 0.05), while significantly reducing feed conversion ratio and malondialdehyde (MDA) compared with CON (p < 0.05). Metagenomic results revealed that Se-enriched egg powder significantly increased bacterial α-diversity and the abundance of Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Bifidobacterium (p < 0.05), while significantly decreasing Desulfovibrio and Escherichia-Shigella (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Se-enriched egg powder effectively enhances growth performance, anti-oxidant capacity, and immunity, mainly through the promotion of beneficial bacteria diversity and suppression of pathogens. Full article

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a vital non-destructive analytical tool in the food and aquaculture industries. This study pioneers the application of portable NIR spectrometers for evaluating selenium (Se) content in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). We developed quantitative and qualitative models to predict selenium levels in oyster tissue, representing a novel application for monitoring trace elements in marine organisms. Quantitative models were developed using partial least squares (PLS) regression on spectra collected with two portable spectrometers (Micro NIR 1700, Micro PHAZIR RX) and a benchtop FT-NIR instrument, with validation via cross-validation and an independent set. Qualitative models were also constructed to categorize Se content into three levels: 0–1, 1–3, and >3 mg/kg. For quantitative analysis, the Micro NIR 1700 model performed robustly in external validation (RP = 0.932; RMSEP = 0.392; RPD = 2.46). The Micro PHAZIR RX model achieved the highest RC (0.988) and the lowest RMSEC (0.233), yet cross-validation indicated a potential risk of overfitting. In contrast, the FT-NIR instrument yielded the best external predictive ability for powdered samples (RP = 0.954, RPD = 2.60), highlighting its high precision under laboratory conditions. For qualitative discrimination, the Micro PHAZIR RX’s classification module achieved a 100% correct recognition rate (AUC = 0.937). The models based on the Micro NIR 1700 and FT-NIR instruments showed cumulative contribution rates (CCR) of 98.61% and 97.59%, respectively, with high performance indices (PI) of 89.3 and 90.2, confirming their effective discrimination capability. The models established in this study enable the rapid, on-site detection of Se content in oyster samples, underscoring the significant potential of portable NIR spectroscopy for selenium analysis in shellfish. Full article

Laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS), known as an express analysis technique, is for the first time applied in this study for determining selenium in soil. Modern agriculture requires elemental analysis methods to perform the continuous automated online control of microelement content in soil. However, selenium has never been quantitatively determined in soil by LIBS so far. Different sample preparation techniques (loose soil powder, mounted on adhesive tape and tableted soil) are employed here for LIBS determination of selenium in soil. The optimal choice of analytical line is challenging for selenium because of spectral interference with the minor and major soil components (Fe, Si, Zn, Al, Sb), but the Se I 196.09 nm line has the lowest spectral interference. A limit of detection of 3 mg/kg for selenium in soil is achieved in the present study using LIBS. The analytical performance of tape-mounted and loose soil powder samples with appropriate data averaging is found to be comparable to that achieved for tablets. Full article

This study investigates the valorisation of piscindustrial by-products, specifically fishbones from mackerel, horse-mackerel, and sardines, as sustainable sources of multi-mineral ingredients (MMIs) for future dietary supplementation. Ground fishbone powders were first analysed for moisture content and total ash to establish baseline composition. Following these preliminary assessments, the samples underwent mineral profiling using microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES), enabling quantification of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, sodium, potassium, copper, lead, cadmium, selenium, chromium, tin, manganese, and mercury. All three species yielded high concentrations of essential minerals, supporting their relevance as upcycled nutritional resources. A sardine-based capsule formulation was developed and compared with a commercial calcium supplement through 240 min dissolution testing. While calcium release values differed significantly from 75 min onward, both formulations exhibited similar dissolution profile shapes, despite differing dosage forms. Statistical analysis confirmed time- and formulation-dependent effects, with the sardine capsule demonstrating enhanced calcium bioaccessibility in later phases (95.26 ± 10.11 vs. 78.79 ± 5.39 mg). This work contributes to the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, SDG 12, and SDG 14. By transforming marine waste into health-promoting ingredients, and enabling revenue streams for ocean-cleaning charities, this initiative exemplifies circular innovation at the interface of nutrition, sustainability, and marine stewardship. Full article

Geopolymers are inorganic aluminosilicate binders formed by alkali activation of reactive powders, offering a sustainable, low-carbon alternative to Portland cement. Their rapid setting and chemical durability make them well-suited for additive manufacturing (AM) in demanding environments, including underwater construction, where chemical stability is essential for both structural integrity and environmental safety. This study evaluates two metakaolin-based formulations designed for underwater extrusion, differing in activator chemistry and rheology control. Standardized leaching tests revealed alkaline but stable leachates with strong immobilization of most ions; major anions and total dissolved solids remained within regulatory thresholds. Limited exceedances were observed—soluble organic carbon in the NaOH-activated mix and arsenic/selenium in the waterglass–sand system—highlighting specific areas for mix improvement rather than fundamental limitations of the material. Complementary radioactivity screening confirmed activity concentration indices well below the regulatory limit, with measured radionuclide activities falling comfortably within exemption ranges. Together, the leaching and radioactivity results demonstrate that both formulations provide robust matrix integrity and environmental compatibility, while highlighting clear opportunities for mix design improvements to further minimize ecological risks. Full article

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) show great potential for sustainable agriculture, but their green synthesis and practical application still need further optimization. This study established a green synthesis method for SeNPs using lyophilized rose (Rosa rugosa Thunb.) powder as both a reducing and stabilizing agent to reduce sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃), key parameters, including template concentration, Na₂SeO₃/VC ratio, and reaction temperature were systematically optimized. This process yielded stable, spherical SeNPs with optimal properties, exhibiting a diameter of 90 nm and a zeta potential of −35 mV. Structural characterization confirmed that selenium forms chelation complexes through carboxyl and hydroxyl oxygen-binding sites. The SeNPs exhibited exceptional stability (retained 426 days at 25 °C) and pH tolerance (pH 4–10), though divalent cations (Ca²⁺) triggered aggregation. In agricultural application tests, 5 mg/L SeNPs increased tomato plant biomass by 84% and antioxidant capacity by 152% compared to controls, and the biosynthesis pathways of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid were upregulated. Moreover, the SeNPs exhibited strong concentration-dependent antifungal activity against several major pathogens. Among these pathogens, tomato gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) was the most sensitive, as evidenced by its low EC₅₀ (4.86 mg/L) and sustained high inhibition rates, which remained substantial even at 1 mg/L and reached 94% at 10 mg/L. These findings highlight SeNPs as a friendly alternative for minimizing agrochemical use in sustainable agriculture. Full article

In this paper, we present a simple solvothermal method to synthesize highly fluorescent metal-free elemental selenium quantum dots (SeQDs) using cost-effective bulk selenium powder. The SeQDs exhibit a small and uniform size, excellent aqueous dispersibility, a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 19.3% with stable fluorescence, and scalable production with a 7.2% yield. Owing to the inner filter effect (IFE), these SeQDs function as a highly effective nanoprobe for Cr(VI) detection, exhibiting exceptional sensitivity (detection limit: 145 nM) and selectivity over a wide linear range (5–105 μM), along with rapid response kinetics. Moreover, SeQDs show low cytotoxicity and efficient cellular uptake, enabling cell imaging and intracellular Cr(VI) monitoring. Significant fluorescence quenching in Cr(VI)-exposed cells confirms the potential of SeQDs as a viable fluorescent nanoprobe for Cr(VI) detection in complex cellular environments. This work thus not only establishes a simple method for the preparation of fluorescent SeQDs but also develops a promising fluorescent nanoprobe for cell imaging and Cr(VI) sensing. Full article

N,N-dimethylformamide’s (DMF) participation in domino reactions has been developed. Starting from substituted halogenobenzenes and selenium powder, versatile biologically active Se-phenyl dimethylcarbamoselenoate derivatives were efficiently synthesized under mild reaction conditions. The reaction mechanism was studied using control experiments. These protocols involve a wider substrate scope and provide an economical approach toward C–selenium bond formation. Full article

This work conducts a single-factor experiment to study the effects of biomass types on the relax density, volume expansion, durability, hydrophobicity, and processing energy consumption. We analyze the differences in the quality of the pellets, and optimize the compaction conditions suitable for different biomass types including straw, hardwood, shell, and herbaceous plant. The results indicated that with a compressing force of 60~1500 N, compressing time of 10 s, powder size of less than 0.5 mm, and moisture content of 10%, the relax densities of corn straw, rice straw, selenium-rich rice straw, weigela japonica branches, and camphor leaves range from 360 to 820 kg/m³, with a processing energy consumption of 17,360 to 28,740 J/kg; meanwhile, the relax densities of argy wormwood, forage grass, green grass, and peanut shells range from 340 to 840 kg/m³, with a processing energy consumption of 33,510 to 73,700 J/kg. Therefore, the compaction pretreatment effectively regulates the density of biomass pellets and reduces the processing energy consumption. This study analyzed the differences in the quality of pellets caused by the inherent characteristics of biomass, providing strong support for the directional depolymerization and enhanced pretreatment technology for the scaled production of biomass alcohol fuels. Full article

Seeking effective measures for the improvement of high-selenium and high-cadmium soils holds significant theoretical and practical importance for sustainable agricultural development. This paper focuses on conducting a site-specific soil survey in the characteristic agricultural product production area of Hefeng County, Enshi Prefecture, Hubei Province. Through field experiments, we compared 14 soil improvement methods across three techniques: chemical passivation remediation, agronomic regulation, and microbial remediation. The study investigated their impacts on rice Cd content, rice Se content, yield, and quality and conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the remediation effects of the different treatments. The experimental results indicate that (1) increasing the content of soil conditioners can enhance rice yields, with Treatment 14 showing the most significant increase, yielding an additional 257.3 kg per mu, representing a 55.62% increase. Treatment 12 also demonstrated a notable yield increase of 95.1 kg per mu, or a 20.55% increase. Lime, sepiolite, and shell powder can effectively reduce rice’s absorption of Cd. Treatment 9 resulted in the lowest Cd content in the rice, at 0.03 mg/kg, with a Cd reduction rate of 92%. The optimal application rates for this Cd reduction were 200 kg/mu of lime, 125 mL/mu of foliar inhibitor, and 50 kg/mu of carbon-silicon fertilizer. Treatment 12 achieved a rice Cd content of 0.11 mg/kg, with a 70% reduction in Cd, bringing the rice Cd content down to below 0.2 mg/kg, which meets the requirements of the National Food Safety Standard: Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods. In the comprehensive scoring of all treatments, considering four evaluation indicators—rice Cd content, rice yield, rice quality, and cost—Treatment 12 (300 kg/mu of soil conditioner + 50 kg/mu of carbon-silicon fertilizer) was found to be the optimal treatment through comparative scoring. It demonstrates good potential for ensuring safe rice production and can serve as a reference standard for repairing Cd-contaminated rice paddies in the local area, with promotional value. Full article

Allium species have great potential in the production of functional food via selenium biofortification. This review is devoted to the specificity of Allium plant biofortification with Se, including the genetic peculiarities, effect of the chemical form of the microelement, methods of supply, sulfur and AMF effects, and hormonal regulation. The biosynthesis of methylated Se amino acids and the beneficial effect of Se treatment on secondary metabolite accumulation and plant yield are discussed. Special attention is paid to the production of functional foods based on Allium plants enriched in different ways: bread with leek leaf powder, Allium microgreens and seedlings, and ‘Black garlic’ biofortified with Se. Further focus is provided to the high variability of Allium crop yield and quality under Se supply governed by genetic factors and environmental stresses, and to the need for plant growth technology optimization to obtain the predicted nutritional characteristics of the derived functional product with high anti-carcinogenic activity. Full article

This study investigates the underlying mechanisms of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensing using a composite material of bismuth oxide and bismuth oxyselenide (Bi₂O_xSe_y). The antagonistic effect of tungsten (W)-doping on the electrochemical behavior was also examined. Undoped, 2 mol%, 4 mol%, and 6 mol% W-doped Bi₂O_xSe_y nanostructures were synthesized using a one-pot solution phase method involving selenium powder and hydrazine hydrate. W-doping induced a morphological transformation from nanosheets to spherical nanoparticles and amorphization of the bismuth oxyselenide phase. Electrochemical sensing measurements were conducted using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). H₂O₂ detection was achieved over a wide concentration range of 0.02 to 410 µM. In-depth CV analysis revealed the complex interplay of oxidation-reduction processes within the bismuth oxide and Bi₂O₂Se components of the composite material. W-doping exhibited an antagonistic effect, significantly reducing sensitivity. Among the studied samples, undoped Bi₂O_xSe_γ demonstrated a high sensitivity of 83 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² for the CV oxidation peak at 0 V, while 6 mol% W-Bi₂O_xSe_y became completely insensitive to H₂O₂. Interestingly, DPV analysis showed a reversal of sensitivity trends with 2 and 4 mol% W-doping. The applicability of these samples for real-world analysis, including rainwater and urine, was also demonstrated. Full article

Groundwater quality can be impacted by the backfilling of coal pits with waste rock containing new mineral surfaces and nanomaterials. This study was implemented to identify newly available arsenic and selenium sources in waste rock from the Cordero Rojo Mine in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, to highlight the alteration of contaminant sources with the transition from an overburden geologic state to the mined waste rock. Basic kinetic models were constructed to replicate the possible weathering modeling scenario derived from published sources of arsenic and selenium in the Powder River Basin overburden—pyrite and gypsum, respectively. These basic prediction models were unable to capture the arsenic and selenium trends recorded for a saturated column loaded with waste rock from the Cordero Rojo Mine. Enhanced kinetic models were tested through trial and error to capture newly available sources created by the mining of the waste rock. The incorporation of new source contributions produced modeled arsenic and selenium trends similar to the observed trends in water extracted from the column. The identification of newly available contaminant sources in backfill waste rock is necessary to evaluate the potential release of contaminants and the exceedance of water quality criteria for overburden formations that have not previously shown the potential for water quality contamination. Full article

It has been strongly suggested that selenium deficiency and T-2 toxin contamination have a strong relationship with the occurrence and development of Kashin–Beck disease (KBD). In order to provide information for understanding the high prevalence of KBD in Tibet, this study collected the responses to a cubital venous blood and dietary questionnaire of 125 subjects including 75 KBD patients and 50 healthy controls in a KBD-prevalent county (Luolong County) in Tibet, China. A total of 10 household local families were randomly selected in this area, and local diet samples of brick tea, Zanba powder, milk residue, and hulless Barley were collected from these residents. Selenium content in blood was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The T-2 toxin contamination level in food sample was assayed using an ELISA kit. The selenium levels of patients and controls were 42.0 ± 19.8 and 56.06 ± 22.4 μg/L, respectively. The serum selenium level in controls was higher than that in patients, but there was no significant difference, and the serum selenium level both in patients and controls in Tibet was lower than the normal range. The results of the dietary survey showed that the number of respondents who consumed butter tea was large; 46.67% of patients indicated that they drank buttered tea every day, which was significantly higher than in controls. The contents of T-2 toxin in Zanba powder, milk residue, hulless barley and drinking water samples were below the detection limit (0.05 μg/kg); this result was labeled Tr. Unexpectedly, the contents of T-2 toxin in brick tea were higher, with average levels of 424 ± 56 μg/kg in Detong village and 396 ± 24 μg/kg in Langcuo village. For the first time, we report the presence of an extremely high concentration of T-2 toxin in brick tea of Tibet. Full article

Sulfur powder (99.99%) and selenium powder (99.99%) were mixed and heated to approximately 300 °C to obtain an S-Se alloy. It has good flowability at 130 °C and can be applied to Q235 steel to obtain a S-Se coating. Epoxy was used as a filler, and the S-Se alloy was applied as a coating. This combination was utilized to create the composite coatings of epoxy/sulfur–selenium (E/S-Se). To investigate the corrosion resistance of this coating on Q235 steel substrate, we conducted measurements and obtained electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and linear polarization curves (LPC). These measurements were performed in a three-electrode cell within an electrochemical workstation using a 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution. By comparing bare Q235 steel, S-Se, and E/S-Se, the study found that the E/S-Se coating had a higher self-corrosion potential (−0.484 V vs. SCE) and the lowest self-corrosion current density (2.361 × 10⁻¹¹ A/cm²). The purpose was to simulate the corrosive environment experienced by condensate return pipe walls in petroleum refining equipment. Additionally, experiments were carried out using 0.01 mol/L HCl solution as the corrosion medium at different temperatures (40 °C, 60 °C, 80 °C). The results indicated that the E/S-Se coating exhibited a lower corrosion rate compared to the Q235 steel substrate. Under immersion conditions at 40 °C and 60 °C, no corrosive substances were detected on the surface of the coating. The test results demonstrated that the E/S-Se coating exhibited superior corrosion resistance compared to the Q235 substrate, providing up to 99% protection for the substrate. Full article